Jan. 8

Frances V. Boles, 87, formerly of Tonawanda, N.Y., passed away Friday, January 4, 2013. She recently had resided with her daughter in Great Valley, N.Y.

She was born October 9, 1925, in Scenery Hill, a daughter of the late Charles and Rose Russell Fulton.

On September 5, 1947, she married Paul E. Boles of Washington, who died in 1993.

Surviving are a daughter, Barbara (Mark) Ward of Great Valley; two grandchildren, Justin of Allegany, N.Y., and Vanessa of Los Angeles, Calif.; a brother, Charles W. Fulton of Washington; and several nieces and nephews.

Retiring in 1988 from Sears as a credit supervisor, she then worked at the Erie County clerk’s office.

Mrs. Boles was a 50-year member of Kenmore Baptist Church.

She was a true Bills fan, an avid bowler and a member of Arthur Temple 19, Daughters of the Nile.

Mrs. Boles was known for her active involvement in the Tonawanda Democratic Party. She was recognized for her service in 1994 as Woman of the Year and her “Achievement and Community Volunteer Contributions” were recognized by Erie County Legislature in 2007.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Lester Wedekindt Funeral Home, 3290 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore, N.Y. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 9, in Kenmore Baptist Church. A burial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, January 10, in the Washington Cemetery chapel.

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Leonard Briselli

U.S. Navy veteran

Leonard Briselli, 83, of Canonsburg, died Saturday, January 5, 2013, in Washington Hospital.

He was born October 21, 1929, a son of the late Pietro and Brigida Bertoni Briselli.

After Mr. Briselli graduated from Cecil Township High School in 1947, he joined the U.S. Navy and served tours in Asia and Europe. During the Korean War, he served an extended tour on a destroyer, the USS English, and saw seven months of action, receiving the United Nations Service Ribbon and Korean Service Medal.

Following his naval career, he worked at Universal Cyclops, Dreon Lumber and Silhol Builders Supply until his retirement in 1995.

He followed Pittsburgh sports, was an avid card player and traveled extensively to warmer climates for winter vacations, especially on cruises, which reminded him of his days in the Navy.

On August 23, 1958, he married Mary Anne Stankus, who survives.

Mr. Briselli leaves behind his devoted sister-in-law, Dorothy Briselli; a nephew, Stephen Briselli; a brother-in-law, John Stankus; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-nieces and great-nephews of whom he was very proud.

He leaves his beloved cat, Pookie.

Deceased are three brothers, Baptista, Secondo and Vincent Briselli, and two sisters, Bruna Graziotto and Olivia Adair.

Mr. Briselli was the last surviving sibling.

Friends are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Beinhauer Funeral Home, 2820 Washington Road, McMurray, 724-941-3211. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 10, in St. Mary’s Church, Cecil. Entombment will be in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township. Please add or view tributes at www.beinhauer.com.

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John P. Daugherty

John P. Daugherty, 53, of Washington, passed away unexpectedly Monday, January 7, 2013, in his home.

Arrangements are incomplete and are entrusted to Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Canonsburg, 724-745-8120. A complete obituary will appear in later edition.

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Martha S. Federoff

Professional seamstress, longtime Canonsburg resident

Martha S. Federoff, 97, of Canonsburg, died Monday, December 31, 2012, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born April 4, 1915, in Cresson, a daughter of the late Katie and Paul Sederoff.

On February 22, 1943, she married John J. Federoff, who died September 11, 1966.

Deceased are three brothers, Philip, John and Samuel Sederoff, and a sister, Mary Grace.

Mrs. Federoff was a member of St. Nicholas Russian Church in Marianna.

She lived most of her adult life and raised her family in Canonsburg. She loved to sew and cook and was a professional seamstress, until her vision deteriorated.

Surviving are a son, Frederick (Becky) Federoff, with whom she resided; a daughter, Kathleen Brennan; a granddaughter, Shannon (Michael) Hassenberg of Shelburne, Vt.; three great-granddaughters, Juliet, Ariel and Clair Hassenberg; beloved nieces, nephews and cousins; and a cousin, Aggie Williams of Houston, who was very dear to her.

She was the beloved aunt of Diane (Bill) Gustafson of Bonita, Calif., and a great-aunt of Kristen (Tony) Brown of Conway, S.C.

At the request of the deceased, all services and interment were private. Arrangements were entrusted to Beinhauer-Bogan Funeral Home, Canonsburg. Please view or add a tribute at www.beinhauer.com.

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Mary Dulcia Flis

Corrected information was received for the obituary of Mary Dulcia Flis, published Monday. She was the daughter of the late Helen Rybacki Flis.

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John William Friesner

John William “Bill” Friesner passed away November 12, 2012.

Deceased is his wife, Caroline Friesner.

Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, John and Beth Friesner of Phoenix, Ariz.; a daughter and companion, Leigh Munsick and Karl Nilson of Crescent; a son and daughter-in-law, Lane and Chris Friesner of Mt. Lebanon; and three grandchildren, Carey and Jonathan Munsick and Carson Friesner.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a memorial service at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 12, in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1066 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228. Donations may be made to National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, NCPEA, www.preventelderabuse.org.

He was born October 20, 1924, in Amwell Township, the only child of the late Russell L. and Anna Grable Hoover.

Mr. Hoover attended the Ridge School, where he had the same teacher, Mrs. Louise Sowers, the entire eight years. He graduated from Trinity High School in June 1942. Upon graduation, he enrolled in the National Youth Administration Training Center in South Park, where he became a certified aircraft welder.

On November 5, 1942, having reached the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a welder. He was sent to Aircraft Armament School, and upon completion he volunteered for aerial gunnery training, which he received at Wendover Air force Base in Utah. Upon graduation, he was assigned to a 10-man air crew aboard a four-engine Liberator bomber. He flew 50 missions as a ball turret gunner with the Fifth Bomb Group of the 13th (Jungle) Air Force, based in Guadalcanal, New Georgia and the Admiralty Islands. He was awarded the Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal and Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Medal.

Upon returning to the United States, he enrolled in Central Instructors School in Laredo, Texas, where he became a turret instructor, and was discharged October 10, 1945, with the rank of staff sergeant. When opportunity permitted, he also played trumpet in the Ten Mile Community Band, which he enjoyed very much. He also enrolled in a flying course at Civil Air Aviation in Waynesburg in 1947 and obtained a private pilot’s license.

He went to work for the Drakenfeld Co. in November 1945, remaining there until 1959. He then went to work for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1987.

On August 30, 1947, in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Glyde, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Wilda Conkle, who died September 24, 1989.

Surviving are three daughters, Rebecca Gurbal of Aurora, Ill., Melanie (John) Maskovich of Washington and Beth (Joseph) Hewitt of Washington; four grandchildren, Michael, David, Cheyenne and Dakoda; three great-grandchildren, Ashley, Michael and Joshua; a great-great-granddaughter, McKenna; and a fiancée, Opal Pierson, with whom he enjoyed the last 21 years of his life.

Deceased, in addition to his wife and parents, are daughters Melinda and Kimberly, who died in infancy, and son-in law David Gurbal, who died in January 2012.

Mr. Hoover was a charter member of Grace Brethren Church in Washington, where he had held the offices of vice moderator, treasurer, deacon, trustee, Sunday school superintendent and teacher. In 2001, he underwent extensive cancer surgery, which somewhat diminished his activities. Prior to that time, he had enjoyed traveling, dining out, photography and his garden. He also enjoyed playing his guitar and was very knowledgeable about Civil War history, having visited several battlefields.

He was a member of American Legion Paso Del Norte Post 58 in El Paso and North Ten Mile Veterans Association. He will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew and loved him.

Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Nichol Funeral Home, 1873 East Maiden Street, Washington. Additional visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., the time of service, Friday, January 11, in Grace Brethren Church, Washington, with Pastor Bob Kulp officiating. Interment will follow in Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery, Glyde. A guest book may be signed at www.nicholfuneralhome.com.

Friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home Inc., 809 Main Street, Bentleyville, 724-239-2255, where a prayer service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, January 10, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Ave Maria Church, Bentleyville, with the Rev. Edward L. Yuhas as celebrant. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Carroll Township. The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Dolores 1675, will pray the rosary at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ave Maria Parish, 126 Church Street, Bentleyville, PA 15314. Visit www.thompson-marodi.com to leave a condolence message, order flowers and share photos.

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Teresa Papak

Teresa Papak, 88, of Monongahela, died Monday, January 7, 2013.

Arrangements are incomplete and are entrusted to Frye Funeral Home, Monongahela. A complete obituary will be published in later edition.

She was born March 13, 1933, in Washington, a daughter of the late Andrew and Patricia Plesz Gniewkoski.

Mrs. Petronka was a 1950 graduate of Trinity High School.

Following high school graduation, she worked at Viehmann’s Pharmacy in the drugstore and at the fountain counter for 10 years, before becoming a homemaker.

She enjoyed modeling in her younger years. She also enjoyed entertaining family and was an avid reader of history.

Mrs. Petronka was a member of St. Hilary Church.

On November 8, 1958, she married Frank N. Petronka, who died October 13, 1994.

Surviving are a daughter, Traci (James R.) Walsh of Washington; a brother, Andy (Barb) Koski of Washington; three sisters, Dolores Bednarski of Avella, Donna Rae Peters of Canonsburg and Patricia Bolin of New Port Richey, Fla.; a grandson, Camden Walsh; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased is a son, Frank A. Petronka.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, January 11, in St. Hilary Church, Washington, with Father Thomas D. O’Neil as celebrant. Burial will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township. Additional information and a guest book are available at www.NealFuneralHome.com.

She was born October 27, 1921, in Ford City, a daughter of the late Esevan A. and Anna Kolsun Todic.

Mrs. Shepelak was a lifelong member of Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church in Charleroi.

She was a 1939 graduate of Charleroi High School.

Mrs. Shepelak was a former employee of the former MacBeth Evans Glass Co. in Charleroi. She was also a graduate of the former Moyer Beauty School in Monessen and became a licensed beautician. She was also a hostess and cashier at the former Red Bull Inn in Charleroi and Johnson’s Restaurant in Monessen.

On November 9, 1946, she married Andrew Shepelak, who died January 6, 1969.

Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Betty Ann and Kenneth Kvartek of North Strabane Township; a son, Andrew Milan Shepelak of Mapleview; a sister, Mrs. John (Mildred) Psak of Craven Hill; and numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Leonard M. Pavlic Funeral Homes Inc., 235 Fallowfield Avenue, Charleroi. Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, January 10, in Holy Ghost Byzantine Church, with the Rev. James Regan officiating. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Carroll Township. Parastas will be held at 3:30 p.m. and Charleroi Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.

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Helen M. Burnside Tannehill

1912 – 2013

Helen M. Burnside Tannehill, 100, passed away Friday, January 4, 2013, in Roberts Health Center, North Kingstown, R.I. She resided previously in Seasons Assisted Living Facility, East Greenwich, R.I., for six years after relocating from Canonsburg in 2006 to be near her daughter, Patricia Quigley and family.

She was born April 25, 1912, on Manifold Road in Washington, a daughter of the late Joseph and Eva Weishner. She was one of 11 children, nine brothers and a sister.

Deceased are brothers Joseph, Gus, George, William, Stanley, Charles, Richard and John; a sister, Anna; and her husbands, George Dickson Burnside Sr., who died January 1, 1959, and James S. Tannehill, whom she married in July 1968 and who died in 1971.

Mrs. Tannehill married George Dickson Burnside in 1937. They lived and operated the Burnside dairy farm on the outskirts of Canonsburg and had two children, George Dickson Jr. and Mary Patricia, who survive.

Also surviving are five grandchildren, Denise, Robert, Susan, Scott and Sean; three great-grandchildren, Jesse, Annie and Cole; and a brother, Anthony of Canonsburg.

She was actively involved in many activities that were important to her, including arts and crafts at Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, Millers Run Grange, 4-H club and volunteering for 30 years at Canonsburg General Hospital.

Mrs. Tannehill celebrated her 100th birthday at Seasons Assisted Living facility in April 2012, which included a citation from Gov. Chafee and an interview by a reporter from the local newspaper. Her comment on being asked what her secret to longevity was, as she replied in her gentle way and with a smile, “Just keep busy.”

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Beinhauer-Bogan Funeral Home, 164 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317, 724-745-5810. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 10, in Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, 112 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA. Burial will be in Oak Spring Cemetery, Canonsburg. Please view or add a tribute at www.beinhauer.com.

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John L. Trebel

Former Canonsburg resident

John L. Trebel, 99, of Johnstown, died December 6, 2012, in his home.

He was born November 16, 1913, in Canonsburg, a son of the late Sabatian and Theresa Dublecz Trebel.

Friends are invited to a memorial service at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, January 12, in St. Patrick Catholic Church, Canonsburg. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Hindman Funeral Homes and Crematory Inc., 146 Chandler Avenue, Johnstown, an exclusive provider of veterans and family memorial care. Condolences may be made at www.HindmanFuneralHomes.com.

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Walter L. Watson

Walter L. Watson, 79, of Washington, died Saturday, January 5, 2013.

Arrangements are incomplete and have been entrusted to Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors Inc. A complete obituary will be published in a later edition.